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A dialogue on democracy among the institutions of the state has been proposed before and will likely be proposed again. The idea is certainly a welcome one — democratic institutions engaging other institutions of state and branches of government — but much depends on how seriously the various centres of power approach such an exercise.

Chairman of the Senate Raza Rabbani has tried to use the constitutional platform he has been elected to for bringing attention to a twin democratic deficit in the country: the national political leadership’s lack of interest in making parliament an effective and functional core of the democratic project, and the lack of dialogue among the branches of government and within the institutions of the executive.

Now, in the wake of Nawaz Sharif’s ouster and with a strident debate in the Senate on the issue, Mr Rabbani has proposed inviting the military and judicial leaderships to parliament for a dialogue on democracy and possibly drawing up a new, inter-institutional consensus on the different branches of government and power centres remaining within their respective constitutional domains.

The Senate debate that led to Mr Rabbani’s proposal, however, demonstrated the difficulty of the task. A core reason for the democratic deficit in the country is the willingness of politicians to seek the undemocratic assistance of other institutions of state and attack each other whenever they sense political vulnerability.

PPP senators excoriating the PML-N for repeated anti-democratic attacks against the PPP over the decades may be right, but they have conveniently sidestepped their own mistakes. The judicially manoeuvred removal of Shahbaz Sharif from the Punjab chief ministership nearly a decade ago was a significant mistake by the PPP. It brought Nawaz Sharif into the streets of Punjab and resulted in campaigns that undermined the PPP’s position.

Meanwhile, the PML-N’s belated realisation that Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution ought to be amended reeks of political self-interest. And Mr Sharif’s journey down GT Road appears to be more about his own political fate than any grand scheme to strengthen the democratic order.

Consider also the role of the various opposition parties at the moment. Having sensed the PML-N’s political vulnerability in Punjab and seeking to counter any advantage that may accrue to the PML-N because of Mr Sharif’s GT Road rally, the opposition’s focus is on the PML-N and Mr Sharif. Few appear concerned that the institutional balance of power has tilted further against parliament and fewer still appear to have time for Mr Rabbani’s long-term considerations.

Indeed, there are voices in the media and the political class that appear to be exhorting the courts and the military to take further action against Mr Sharif and his party. The possibility of institutions potentially ganging up against democracy is as depressing as the realisation that some so-called democrats are hoping for that eventuality.

On DawnNews

Comments (11) Closed

Shahid

Aug 12, 2017 08:10am

'Time to talk democracy'. To what effect? Can anybody tell the difference between Pakistani democracy and monarchy? Probably not. Why? B/c it is erected on wrong foundation; family centered dynasties in all parties of any significance. It is only about rulers extracting maximum material benefits violating Constitution, rules of business, State and its citizens. Personality worship ala idol worship is order of the day. Merit is completely absent as is accountability and sense oif responsibility; soul and spirit of genuine democracy. We must start recognising potential in each and every citizens for collective good. This demands breaking idols of dynastic succession, replaced with the motto: Let the competent lead at every level, irrespective of his family background, social or economic status. That means valuing the blessing of merit among all our fellow citizens. If we do not change, we will keep singing refrain of democracy, out of harmony and in vain. This model is worth trying too.

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Feroz

Aug 12, 2017 09:56am

Consultation with other institutions is good but it is Parliament that needs to show it alone can legislate and ensure peoples will prevails over all else.

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Naqvi

Aug 12, 2017 10:58am

Well reasoned well articulated lines by editor..

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ZARMI

Aug 12, 2017 01:40pm

this is a very sad development that the majority of people are being deceived to be against democracy in Pakistan!

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Yaser Masood

Aug 12, 2017 03:38pm

Appeasement is not the solution. Power is always wrested.

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Omar khan

Aug 13, 2017 01:41am

Askr.Rabbani to first talk Democracy in his own party, PPP!!
Before PPP set the model of Monarchy/Dynastic Rule, we always has some middle class participation in Democracy of Pakistan.
Rabbi Sahib, ask the bhutto Monarchy to promote democracy within the PPP first!!

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Khalid M

Aug 13, 2017 01:53am

Dawn, please don't mix democracy and corruption. You are playing dangerous role by giving narrative which is convoluted and trying to mislead people. It is similar to NS narrative who is saying SC violated the public mandate. Why don't you ask NS and for that matter AAZ if they entered into election with corruption as their manifesto? If yes then I would agree with what they are saying if not then let courts do their job and eliminate the criminals who are disguised as politicians.

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Saleem

Aug 13, 2017 03:15am

Nonsense. What we need is honesty not corruption among the politicians so that when they go out of line they need not be kicked out, as these crooks claim all the time.

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haroon

Aug 13, 2017 04:29am

Time to talk about corrupt politicians. They should all be packed inside the special plane and sent out of this universe for good. Democracy... democracy ...democracy. what demo racy ... where we have two different set of laws for poor and rich...where there is no rule of law. will they ever build hospitals and schools ... well no because it wont increase their vote base.

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Ismail Adam Khatri

Aug 13, 2017 06:46am

Democracy has only one commandment to follow. "thou shall not point to your skin color or religion in any human interaction for humanity, honesty with politeness"

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Sarmad

Aug 13, 2017 10:14am

@Shahid well India has similar family centered dynasties but they seem to be doing well? No? Democracy at its core it people electing their representatives. Let them elect who they want :)